Card index



Jan. 14, 1930.y

LE ROI E. HUTCITHNGS GARD INDEX Filed March 4, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l ffy.

Jan.. 14, w30. LE Ron E. HUTCHINGS 1,743,274

CARD INDEX Filed March 4. 1924 '2 sheets-sheet .2

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Patented Jen." 1 4, 1930 UNITED STAT-ES P A1-NT OFFICE.

LE 1to1 E. nu'rcmnes, or BUFFALQ. NEW Yong, Assrenon, 3x MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, fro BEMINeToN RAND INC., or NEW YORK, N. Y.,'A conformaron or Dnmlwmau:

CARD INDEX Application led March 4, 1924. Serial No. 696,800.

This invention relates to card indexes, and more particularly to the Atype-of index in which a plurality of cards 'or card holders are maintained in overlapping, nested relation on al support with the edges of the cards' or holders projecting one beyond another.

Inindexes of -this kind, cardsfor card-holders have. been provided having a pair of oppositely directed, integral lugs or arts stamped from' the ,body of the card and a apted to engage cooperating, opposed flanges or parts on the support, whereby the'- cards v or holders are prevented from lateral displacement thereon, while the two lugs rovide means for holding. the'cards in neste overlapping relation andare adapted to be guided on the support by engagement with said flanges for permittmg endwise sliding movements of the cards on the support. Indexes of the kind stated, however, have certain disadvantages. For example, owing to the fact that the oppositely directed-lugs or l parts which cooperate with opposed flanges or parts on the support are stamped out of the body of the card on linesy which coincide with -the outlines of the lugs, and these lugs are oppositely directed and at some distance apart, it is.necessary, when inserting or atftaching a card to the support, to bend or deform both lugs and at the same time to engage them under itheopposed flangesor arts of the support. Thls bendingor deorming vof the lugs relatively to the vcard 1 body not only takes .considerable time, but

the consequent wear soon weakens or breaks olf the lugs and renders the cards useless. Further, such operations require the user to employ both hands, and owing to the fact that the lugs are merely cutout on a line coincident with their .outlines and lthere is no space between the lu s and the adjacent body portions of the car the lugs sometimes engage the edges of the aperture and are prevented from accurately engaging the supporting parts.

One of the objects of this invention is to ,povide, in an index of this sort, a card,

card-holder, r the like, having a single projecting member or tongue adapted to cooperate with a part on the. support to' prevent support bein transverse movements of the card in. one dil. rection, said projecting member or tongue also being adapted to maintain the cards in alinement and which nevertheless does not 'require bending or deformation in manipulating the card for insertion or removal thereof; and also to construct the card so that a having an offset, laterally directed tongue',

which is partially surrounded by an aperture such that the edges of the tongues are prevented from engaging adjacent portions a card or cardv of the card body, thereby insuring the proper engagement of the lcard with the support.

provide a card index having cards or simplified form such that they may be quickly and positively 'inserted or" attached to the index support b a single transverse movement, followed by a simple exing ofthe card body, without requiring any bending or distortion of the projecting tongues relatively to the card body; also to provide a card `which will positively nest with the next adjacent card on the support by a simple sliding movement of the card on the support.

Still another object of the invention is to improve card indexes and index cards and the like therefor in other respects hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

' Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a card index comprising a series of nested cards and a supporting member therefor, said cards and formed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

'7'0 Further objects of the invention are to Fig. 2 is a similar view, partly in section,

showing two nested cards separated from the remaining-nested cards of the series. j. Y

Fig. 3 is a face view of two -of the nested A cards removed from the support.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the support on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of three: nested cards, on line 5 5, Fig. 3, on an enlarged a follower for engaging an end card of theseries.

Fig. 1() is a face View of a blank from which a card of slightly modified form is produced.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the modified form of card produced from said blank.

Fig. 12 is a cross section thereof on line 12-12, Fig. 11, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the flanges on the back member in section to illustrate the frictional engagement between the follower and the back member.

Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional View through the follower shown in Fig.- 9, particularly illustrating the handle member thereon.

Briefly described, the card index of the present invention includes a plurality of cards, card-holders or the like, each of which is provided with a single tongue or part. which projects outwardly or is offset from,

the plane of the body portion, and which is adapted to permit the cards to be nested in overlapping relation with a portion of each card projecting beyond the other. This tongue is provided with a laterally extending portion adapted to cooperate with a retaining flange or part on a supporting member to permit sliding movements of the cards on the support and prevent lateral movements thereof in one direction. rl`he support is further provided with' a part adapted to engage a part of each card. such the side edge or some part of the card body other than the tongue, to prevent lateral movements of the cards in an opposite direction. The cards are so formed that they may be engaged with or attached to the support by a single transverse movement of the card, followed by a' slight bending movement thereof.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings, each card A comprises a body portion 10, and a projecting tongue 11 which is offset rearwardly, preferably in a plane at a slight angle from the body portion. The tongue 11 is arranged within the area of the body portion, preferably about midway between its side edges and is connected to the body portion adjacent the top edge 12, as shown. The tongue 11 is formed with a laterally extending part 18, preferably terminatingin a semicircular outline, as shown, and the lower edge of this part 13 merges into an inclined lower edge 14 on flange 22 towards the left. A 11 has been properly engaged, the movement the tongue, which terminates in a rounded side edge 15 adjacent the juncture of the tongue l1 with the body 10 of the card. The other side of the part 13 is Connected to a short, substantially straight side edge 16 of the tongue which also connects with the body portion. The tongue 11 is preferably given a permanent angular set relatively to the body portion, so that its free edge is always out of the plane of the card body, thereby permitting it to pass back of another card when moved into nesting relation thereto. This is done in any suitable way, as by scoring the card at the juncture of the tongue with the body portion, as at 17, and then bending the tongue rearwardly along this line. The tongue is preferably die cut and integral with the card and may be either stamped directly out of the body portion 10, as shown in Figs. 1-9, or the card may be formed of a die-cut blank A, see Figs. 10-12, such that an offset tongue 11a is provided at one end, which is adapted to be folded over against the body portion 1()u along the line 12a andsecured to the body portion adjacent the line 12, as by staple-or the like 18.

The supporting member B of the index is preferably formed of sheet-metal and comprises a back 20 of slightly greater width than the cards A, and which is formed or provided between its side edges with a card tongue retaining and guide member 21 which preferably extends from end to end of the support, and has a flange or part 22 spaced from the back member, beneath which the tongues on the cards are adapted to be engaged.

To attach a card to the support, or to insert one or more cards into a series of cards on tbe support, the card is moved sideways, see Fig. 6, so as to direct the tongue 11 beneath the flange 22, the left-hand portion of the card body 10 meanwhile passing over this l/Vhen the tongue will be arrested by the engagement of the side edge 16 with the free edge of the flange 22. The support 2() is further provided with means for engaging a portion .of the card body 10, such as the right-hand side edge 25, so that after the tongue llhas been-engaged beneath the flange 22, the card will be prevented from lateral movements on the support towards the right. The means shown for this purpose comprises a marginal side wall or part 26 having a flange 27 which is spaced from the back wall 20 and extends inwardly over the same. nAfter the tongue 11 has been positioned beneath the flange 22, the body portion 10 of the card is preferably bent or flexed, see Fig. 8, so that the righthand edge 25 thereof may be directed under the overhanging flange 27. The distance between the side wall 26 and the free edge of the i' plurality of the nested cards,may be moved endwis'e freely on the support B, without binding between the support and the edges 16 and 25of the card or cards, while neverthe-4 m fore in forming such tongues, is formed by cutting away entirely 'a portion of the card body around the sides andV bottom of the tongue, thus leaving an aperture 30 between these edges and the adjacent parts of the card body, seeparticularly Figs. 6 and`7. The

, upper portions of the card adjacent the aperture 30 are formed so as to provide edges 31 which'preferably extend substantially parallel with the top edge 12 of the card. The

' tongues 11, being spaced from adjacent portions of the card bodies, are preventedv from engaging and sticking thereto, so thatthey are always properly offset and alined to positively nest behind the body portions of adjacent cards. 'The provision of the inclined edges 14 permits the top edges 12 of the cards to be guided easily and without obstruction over the tongues 11. The edges 31 form stops to position the cards in parallel nested relation, with their lower edges exposed and spaced to the desired extent, and as parts of the card are cut away at these edges .31, the cards can move to nestedA relation but will not bind, so` that the cards may be easily 35 moved apart on, the index when desired, as for the purpose of inserting other cards between the ends of a series, or for inserting cards with their edges exposed onefbeyon or removing single cards when desired.

In the modified form of card shown in Figs.

A40 10J-12, the body portion 10a has a portion thereof cut away to provide an aperture 35. adjacent the tongue 11, so that the edges of the tongue may be spaced from the body por-' tion 10, as described in connection with the cards A. l.The tongue. 11a of the modified card is shaped and functions exactly like the tongue 11 of the cardA.

A side wall 36 and flange 37 are preferably provided on the side of the `support opposite 5o to the side wall 26, beneath which the opposite edges of the cards'are positioned.A

' While\the cards, as regards their width and. relative location of the tongues, are preferably proportioned'substantially as shown ,in

the drawings, the cards may, if desired, be of less width', 'as by dispensing with the lefthand portion of the card body to a point ad- A r -jlacent the aperture 30. In this-case the left and side wall 36 and flange 37 of the support l6e B could be omitted, as itis onlyjnecessary to proyide the flange 22 and sidewall) 26 to properly` maintain the cards-on the support. It may sometimes b e found desirable to provide -thecard index with a follower `or de ,05 vice adapted to engage one "endofthe card another, each card having a body series to assist in .maintaining them 'in nested relation. A suitablefollower 40 for this purpose isshown in Fig. 9, which is preferably provided with apart or parts adapted to frictionally engage the top edge 12 of the upper or end card, as by means of the olset tabsor ears 41; The follower body may be formed of relatively stiff card or the like and is substantially rectangular, its side edges being adapted to have a fairly snug ft between the side walls 26 36 of the support B, so thatv it will be frictionally retained thereon in any .positionf to which it is moved. As the ears 41 have frictional engagement with the edgel of the adjacent card A by the wedgingof the top edge of the card between the tabs or ears 41 and the body of the follower, the follower will always holdthe series in close nested arrangement, but should it be desired to sepal rate the series to insert or remove one or more cards, the follower maybe moved on the support, as shown in Fig. 9, and the-required number of cards will be moved with it in the same direction andheld by the vfollower in spaced relationto the other cards. A handle or part 42 is preferably secured on the. follower in any suitable manner, and is provided with a transparent pocket or the like 43 for the reception of a suitable designatingor index slip. The o posite or lower' end of 1. In a card index, a series of overlappin I ortion and a single tongue intermediate of t e side edges thereof, said tongue being connected to,

and ofset rearwardly and downwardlyfrom` said body portion and being formed at its free end with a laterally extending part which is directed towards one side of said card body,

port adapted to be engaged by said latera extending part of said tongue. and said Side of the card body bya transverse movement` of said cardtowards said parts, said card,

after such engagement, being revented from transverse movements towar s said side of said card, and a part on said support adapted to be engaged by the opposite side of vsaid card to prevent transverse movements of said card toward said opposite side.

A a support for said cards, parts on said sup.-

2. In a card index, a plurality of cards and a support for same, each of said cards having a body portion and a tonguev extending downwardly at the rear of said body portion and .having a part extendin wards one `edge of said .car

spaced from said body portion by an aperture formed in said body portionfadjacent said tongue, 'a part on said support adapted to be eesf the support B is pre erably provided with a 121sl laterally to-f and which-is side edges thereof, a support for said cards,

a retaimng part on said support with which said tongue is adapted to engage to prevent transverse movements of said card in one direction, a part on said support adapted to engage said card body to prevent transverse movements of said card in an opposite direction, a fixed part on said support adapted to engage one end of said card series to prevent endwise movement of said cards in one direction, and a detachable follower adapted to engage portions of said support and to have sliding movements relatively thereto, said follower' having lugs adapted to engage an edge of a. card of said series to maintain said cards in overlapping relation on said support.

4. In a card index, a plurality of cards and a support for same each of said cards having a body portion, a single tongue ext-ending downwardly at the rear of said body portion and having a part extending laterally towards one edge of said card and which is spaced from said body portion by an aperture formed in said body portion adjacent said tongue, and is connected thereto along a line substantially parallel with the upper and lower edges of the card body, said aperture also defining stop portions on said card body which are substantially alined with said line of connection and which define the adjacent portions of said aperture, said tongue being adapted to pass behind an edge of an adjacent card to permit nesting of said cards with said edge' of said card engaging said stop portions, a part on said support adapted to be engaged by said tongue to permit lengthwise movement of said cards on said support and for preventing lateral movements of said card in one direction, and means for preventing lateral movements of said Cardin an opposite direction. j

5. In an index or file, an index card comprising a strip of material having a toJngue struck therefrom, said tongue extending inwardly from a marginal portion of said card, and having a tab portion extending toward a side edge of said card, substantially the entire length of said tab portion being separated from said marginal portion by an opening in said card.

6. In an index or file, an index card comprising a strip of material, having a portion struck therefrom adjacent a marginal portion thereof, a part of said struck-out port-ion being removed from and the remainder retained in connection with said card adjacent said marginal portion, forming a tongue member, the opening formed by the part of said struckout portion which is removed providing a space through which said tongue may be manipulated.

7 In an index or iile, a'plurality of index cards, a supporting member for slidably mounting said cards, a card stop on one end of said member, a follower slidaby mounted on said member forl holdin said cards in position thereon,and a label older mounted on said follower.

8.. In an index or file, a plurality of index cards, a supporting member for slidably supporting said cards, a card stop at one end of said member, a follower slidable on said member for engaging and holding said cards, and an operating handle for said follower formed to removably mount a label.

9. In an index or file, a plurality of index cards, a supporting member having means slidably supporting said cards, a card stop at one end of said member, and a follower having slidable and frictional engagement with said means for retaining said cards in adjacent relation on said support.

l0. In an index or file, a plurality of index cards formed for overlapping interfitting engagement, a supporting member having guide flanges at opposite edges for receiving portions of said cards and retaining them in slidable engagement on said member, a card stop at one end of said member, and a follower formed of stiff 'sheet material, rectangular in form, having the opposite edge portions sidably and frictionally engaged with said guide flanges, said follower being adapted to retain said cards in intertting relation on said member. j

11. In an index or file, a card-retaining strip provided with an inwardly directed ange, an index card 'slidably mounted thereon, havlng a section removed to provide a ytongue attached to one marginal portion, said removed section permitting free manipulation of the tongue relative to the card, a tab on said tongue projecting toward one edge of said card to engage under said flange and said tongue having a side edge freely engaging the edge of ,said flange and positioning saidcard for sliding movement thereon, and means engaging the opposite edge of said card to retain said side edge adjacent said ange.

12. In an index or file, a card-retaining strip provided with an inwardly directed flange, a series of index cards mounted thereon in nested overlapping relation, each of said cards being formed with a tongue attached to one marginal portion, each card having a section removed contiguous to the edge of said tongue to permit free manipulasaid flange on said strip,

e nipu-lation, al

said tongue, and said tongue .having a side edge between said tab and marginal portion adapted t form an abutment.

14. In an index or file, an index card'having a section removed to provide a tongue extongue havmg a side edge between'the tab and marginal portion for engaging the edge of said ange, said-removed section providing shoulders n said marginal portion to engage the edge of an adace'nt card, anda back member carrying sai strip and having a liange engagin an edge of said cards to retain said side e ges engaged with the edge of whereby said cards ma have free sliding movement longitudina y on saidstrip.

. 13. In an index or li1e,an index card having a section removed to provide a tongue extending inwardl from a marginal portion and havingthe edge -spaced from the adjacent portions of thecard to. permit free matabl extending laterally from tending inwardly from a marginal portion and having the edge spaced from the adja- -cent portions of the card to permit free ma#v a tab extending laterally from nipulation,

said removed-section providing said tongue;

inner edges on said marginal portion to engage the edge of Ya nested card and limit intertting of two cards, said tongue having its endformed with the edge extending in an lar relation to said inner ed es, where y 4other cards maybe freely neste between the tongue and card against said'inner ed es.

15. In an index or file, an index car having a section removed to provide a tongue extendinginwardly from a marginal ortion and having the edge spaced-from the a jacent portions of the card to permit free manipulation, a tongue, `said removed section providing inner edges on said marginal portion to enga e the edge of a lnested card and limit inter ttin of two cards, said tongue having its en formed with the edge extending in angular 1 relation to said inner edges, and said tongue being 'formed in olset relation to said card, whereby other cards may be freely nested between the tongue and card against said inner edges,

'16. vided with a tongueidirected inwardly the lower marginal portion thereof, and an upwardly directed shoulder extending parallel with said marginal portion to one vside of the connecting point between said tongue and i said'card.

' LE ROIl E. HUTCHINGS.

tab extending lateraly from said In an index'or file, an index card ro-l omv Patent No: 1,743, 274.

(Seal) CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

l Granted January 14, 1930,' to

LE ROI E. HUTCHINGS'.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page l, line 72, for the word "or" read "of"; page 3, lines 42 and 43. strike out the words "edges of the" and insert the same before the word "tongue" in line 42; page 4, line 75, claim 7, and line 102, claim 10, for the misspelled words "slidaby and sidably" read "slidably"; page 5, line 40, claim 15, for "lateraly" read "l.aterally"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of March, A. D.A 1930.

M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

